I’m studying abroad in Vancouver, going into my second year in September. I went home to Europe over the whole 4 months, and now, at the end of August, I’m flying back to Vancouver. I’m already homesick. Yes, I’m an adult and I can live without my mum, but I just really miss her, 8400km and an ocean apart. My parents moving out of our house soon doesn’t make it easier. This is my last week ever, in the only house I’ve ever really known and when I come to visit, I will never come back to this house.
In my first year (last year), I made friends almost entirely with International Students. They were exchange students and went home…and here I am, friendless, having to make new friends again(!) this year. This contributes to my homesickness, missing my friends here already.
I still love Canada and finally living near an ocean, I want it to continue 100%, but constantly miss home, my family and old high school friends…
So when I’m flying back in a week (it was probably bad to fly home over the summer, and traveling Europe with old high school friends), I know I’ll be homesick again, I already am. So I wanted to ask, if you (International Students) experience/experienced the same? And what can I do about it, to focus on my Canada life 100% without feeling trapped between two homes and continents? Thank you
Not a student – but parent of two grads and a previous host of international students.
What you’re going through is absolutely normal. So let me assure you: You WILL make friends. Quickly. You could reach out to the incoming international students, offering them help and advice. Organize a quick get-together with people in your dorm/apt., maybe head out for for a group dinner. That would be a very kind gesture - and a great way to meet new people quickly.
Since you know the school, the campus and the area already, your acclimation will be smooth. When you get into Vancouver, be nice to yourself. Focus on doing things you enjoy, revisit places you like, treat yourself to something fun and special: a hike? A walk along the beach? A coffee at your favorite spot? Another way to take your mind off home is to get involved in a sport – doesn’t intramural dodgeball sound really, really fun?
The busier you’ll be the less homesick you will feel. In fact, by early October, you might be thinking of Vancouver as home again.
Good luck. It will be OK.
I grew up in America and have lived half my adult life in Europe. Yes, I miss my friends and family very much and visit them when I can, but my life is in Europe. My kids grew up there, consider themselves European, and have no desire to live in the US or make careers there. It’s just one of those things: adjust and accept there are things you will miss, but move on.